White fillings (composite resin)

Why put up with unsightly amalgam tooth fillings?

Years ago, we were all given mercury amalgam fillings which would pepper our smiles with blobs of black metal or gold. But times have changed. If you need a filling or need to improve the shape, colour or size of your tooth, we can use white resin fillings for a far more aesthetically pleasing result.

Mills Road Dental is an amalgam free clinic. We prefer white fillings because they are mercury free and look like part of a normal tooth. Also, the composite materials we use are far stronger than those used previously so you can expect your filling to last longer.

How long will it take?

Most procedures are quick and painless, taking less than an hour. Two coloured resin will be used and built up on your tooth layer at a time, with each layer being hardened by a special blue light. When a dentist is finished, they will shape and polish the filling to make sure it fits smoothly in your mouth.

As with the rest of your teeth, you’ll need to maintain regular dental checkups to ensure that your filling is adhering correctly. Also, your filling will stain just as your normal teeth will, through regular use of coffee, tea and red wine, so at your dental appointment, your dentist can remove any stains to keep your teeth looking whiter for a brighter smile!

White fillings or composite resin are used in many ways:

hard tissue: decay removal

inlays

onlays

cosmetic fillings

Existing mercury amalgam fillings

Mercury amalgam fillings contain approximately 50% mercury, which although has been deemed safe by the Australian Dental Association, can leak tiny amounts of mercury every day. However, patients are exposed to the highest amount of mercury when the fillings are either placed or removed, which is why we don’t advocate the replacement of amalgam fillings unless one breaks or cracks.

If your mercury filling does need to be replaced, we’ll use several procedures to ensure that all the mercury is safely removed and not absorbed by your body. Then we can replace the filling with a new composite resin filling, which will not only be mercury free but look a lot nicer, too.

If you’re concerned about your amalgam fillings, talk to one of our dentists today.